George Russell 2026 Chinese GP
Formula 1 Hot News

Formula 1 News: Mercedes duo run 1-2 in Chinese GP Practice

Posted by AR1 staff

Using the trick high compression ratio Mercedes engine, George Russell has topped the timesheets with a time of 1m 32.741s during the first and only practice session of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, the Mercedes driver setting the pace from teammate Kimi Antonelli and McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top-6, 1.388s behind Russell at the Shanghai International Circuit.

A big Moment for Lewis Hamilton

The Ferraris, due to clipping went, from 314km/h to 155km/h on the back straight without touching the brake. Welcome to the world of Formula 1’s Frankenstein cars.

Haas’ Ollie Bearman was seventh, placing ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen 1.8s behind Russell, the Audi of Nico Hulkenberg and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly. Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson claimed P11, from Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto, the other Red Bull of Hadjar, Haas’ Esteban Ocon and Colapinto.

The session was over early for Arvid  Lindblad, with Racing Bulls confirming that the Briton would not resume running.

Formula 1 drivers will be allowed to generate more electrical energy in this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix compared to the first race of the season.

The difference between the two will be at its greatest in qualifying. Drivers will be permitted to recharge up to 9MJ in Shanghai, in both sprint race qualifying and grand prix qualifying, compared to 7MJ for the latter in Melbourne.

The recharge limits will be 0.5MJ higher for this weekend’s two races compared to last week’s grand prix. Drivers will be allowed to use up to 8.5MJ ordinarily, rising to 9MJ when Overtake mode is enabled. As was the case last week, this will be permitted when they are within one second of the car ahead, which will be measured at the entrance of the final corner, turn 16.

2026 Chinese GP Practice Results

Pos. No. Driver Team Time Behind Gap Laps
1 63 George Russell Mercedes 1m32.741s 29
2 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1m32.861s +0.120s 0.120s 30
3 1 Lando Norris McLaren 1m33.296s +0.555s 0.435s 29
4 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1m33.472s +0.731s 0.176s 28
5 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1m33.599s +0.858s 0.127s 28
6 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1m34.129s +1.388s 0.530s 26
7 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 1m34.426s +1.685s 0.297s 28
8 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1m34.541s +1.800s 0.115s 24
9 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 1m34.639s +1.898s 0.098s 27
10 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1m34.676s +1.935s 0.037s 28
11 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 1m34.773s +2.032s 0.097s 29
12 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1m34.828s +2.087s 0.055s 26
13 6 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 1m34.856s +2.115s 0.028s 26
14 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 1m34.877s +2.136s 0.021s 25
15 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 1m34.947s +2.206s 0.070s 26
16 23 Alexander Albon Williams 1m35.480s +2.739s 0.533s 31
17 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 1m35.679s +2.938s 0.199s 18
18 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1m35.856s +3.115s 0.177s 18
19 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 1m36.057s +3.316s 0.201s 25
20 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1m37.224s +4.483s 1.167s 20
21 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 1m37.896s +5.155s 0.672s 6
22 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 1m39.200s +6.459s 1.304s 13